The problem - client doesn't know what they want. They're attempting to neuter rock star work, which will hurt the end product.

What do you do? Your choices

1--Neuter the work. Work product suffers, but you take a "the client is always right" approach and give them what they ask for. Cross off the client as a reference - They'll be happy, but you won't be proud of the work.

2--Battle with them. They're wrong. You're right. Let's go to war.

Of course, there is a third approach - you've got to educate them why you're approach works, maybe give them a concession or two and try to work as a consultant to take most of what you know they need. Senior level influence in this regard - you can show them others in the industry are already deploying your approach or find others in their organization who support you.

Need a video to parody this approach? I thought you'd never ask. Take a look at the video below (email subscribers click through to see the video) - it's from my life as a card-carrying member of Gen X. It's a music video from a alt-rock group called Sum41, and the intro is what I want you to look at, as the band visits a music executive who tells them he wants them to change their name to the "The Sums" based on the success of groups like "The Strokes" and "The White Stripes".